Robert “Chino” Montalvo and Baby (Lower West Side series) 1992

Milton Rogovin made this photograph of Robert “Chino” Montalvo and Baby as part of his Lower West Side series. I can imagine Rogovin thinking about what it means to capture a moment of human connection and intimacy, set against the backdrop of everyday life. I think about the way light falls on their faces and how it creates depth and texture. I wonder about the interiority of the subjects. It’s a poignant image that resonates with so much tenderness. You know, it makes me think about other photographers like, say, Sally Mann, who also explore themes of family, memory, and identity in their work. I feel like all these artists are in conversation with each other, and their work inspires me to think about my own art-making process.